Ale Talk

Britain's Best Beer 2010 - The November draw prize

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:00:00 +0000

This month's prize has been kindly donated by myBrewerytap.com and they've once again done us proud.

15 great British Beers from 15 different breweries:

Acorn Brewery - Conquest - abv 5.7%
A well-hopped, traditional IPA. The initial hoppy aroma gives way to a good citrus flavour & a lasting bitter finish.

Brewdog - Punk IPA - abv 6%
Post modern classic pale ale.

Crouch Vale Brewery - Brewers Gold - abv 4%
This is a pale, refreshing and hoppy beer with gorgeous aromas of tropical fruits.

Felinfoel Brewery - Double Dragon - abv 4.2%
A full drinking premium Welsh ale, malty and subtly hopped with a rich colour and smooth balanced character.

Hawkshead Brewery - Lakeland Gold - abv 4.4%
A golden Ale. Hoppy and uncompromisingly bitter with complex fruit flavours.

Hogs Back Brewery - TEA - abv 4.2%
The brewery’s flagship ale is pale brown, with a hoppy and slightly fruity aroma supported by malt in the taste. A well crafted, bittersweet beer with a long dry finish. A classic Best Bitter.

Inveralmond Brewery - Ossian - abv 4.1%
This superb golden ale is perilously smooth and drinkable with distinct nutty tones and fruitiness.

Mallinsons - Station Best Bitter - abv 4.2%
Pale gold with a citrus hop aroma, a bitter citrusy hop taste and finish.

Marble Brewery - Manchester Bitter - abv 4.2%
Straw coloured best bitter with uncompromising bitterness, balanced against residual sweetness and citrus/woody hop aromas.

Meantime - Chocolate - abv 6.5%
Created using dark malts and chocolate. Pronounced vanilla notes fuse the chocolate and malts together to give a rich, warming, flavour.

Ossett Brewery - Excelsior - abv 5.2%
Excelsior has a mellow yet full flavour that develops into a fruity dryness on the palate. A fresh hoppy aroma with citrus and floral characteristics.

Potton Brewery - Shambles Bitter - abv 4.3%
A light premium beer. it's robust bitternessis balanced by a subtle sweetness and understated hop character.

RCH Brewery - Ale Mary - abv 6%
It is a spiced ale with the addition of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg and pimento.

Saltaire Brewery - Cascade Pale Ale - abv 4.8%
American style pale ale with the floral aromas and strong bitterness of Cascade and Centennial hops.

Williams Bros Brewing - Good Times - abv 5%
Good Times is a county pale ale, brewed with a delicious combination of barley, oats, hops, meadowsweet and elderflowers.

Want to win this great case of real ale?
Simply select the best British beer you have tasted this year to help us find Britain's Best Beer 2010.
There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer.
We know there are some great beers out there, which is why you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories. Every vote will count equally and by the end of November we hope to have found a winner.
Vote here before the end of August for your chance to win this great case of British Beer

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents OVER the age of 18.

myBrewerytap is where to find Britain's smaller independent breweries online. The site sells bottles and ‘beer in a box' ale from micro breweries, delivered direct to your door

An evening in Plymouth

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:46:00 +0000

Spent an evening in Plymouth last Saturday and was pleasantly surprised

Started in The Yard Arm (in the 2010 GBG but not the 2011 - such are the vaguaries of CAMRA) Had a great pint of Hunters Crack Shot at 3.8% (£3). A good sold session beer.

Then onto The Fishermans Arms (2010 & 2011) where i was tempted by the St Austell Proper Job at 4.5% (£3.10) which is a favourite of mine since tasting it at a Northern beer festival last year.

A walk down to the Barbican and into the Dolphin Inn (2010 & 2011) for a pint of Sharps Doom Bar (straight from the barrel) at 4% (£2.95 - a bargain?!)

The GBG describes The Dolphin as 'unbashedly no frills' which is an apt description - our lass wouldn't like it

Back to the Fishermans for more Proper Job, I'd like to say i tried the two other St Austell beers but I liked the Proper Job too much. This place is very much like a gastro pub and if the food tasted anything like it looked when it left the miniscule kitchen, then next time in Plymouth i'm eating here.

A walk round the hoe to meet our lass and her friends in the recently re-opened & refurbished 'Waterfront', (read about the demise of the old Waterfront here). Sad to say cocktails were then the order of the day as we slipped into hazy oblivion......

So, Plymouth is very much worth a visit, many more real ale places to try than i had time to so hopefully we'll be back next year

(there i did it, not one mention of beer prices being too high, especially as they were relatively 'local' ales)

Britain's Best Beer 2010 - The October Prize Draw

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Someone on our Forum mentioned an off-licence nearby called Rhythm & Booze which stocked a good selection of British Beers.

We paid a visit and for your delectation here is October's prize in our search for Britain's Best Beer:

Acorn Brewery - Barnsley Gold - abv 4.3%
Fresh citrus aroma and good bitterness levels. Fruit and hops carry through to a crisp, dry finish

Acorn Brewery - Gorlovka - abv 6.0%
A deep malt and hoppy aroma with liquorice throughout. Roast malts, fruit and hops also carry through this full bodied stout

Bradfield Brewery - Farmers Pale Ale - abv 5.0%
A distinctive fruity Pale Ale, well balanced with a powerful floral bouquet, full-bodied and a predominantly dry aftertaste

Bradfield Brewery - Farmers Stout - abv 4.5%
A dark enriched 'black and white' stout balanced by ploughing through roasted malts and flaked oats with a subtle bitter hop character

Cropton Brewery - Scoresby Stout - abv 4.2%
A traditional stout combining dark roasted barley with Challenger and Goldings hops

Cropton Brewery - Two Pints Bitter - abv 4.0%
A classic bitter providing a balanced hoppy flavour with a malty aftertaste

Daleside Brewery - Blonde - abv 4.3%
A refreshing, light golden beer with a hoppy aroma & crisp palate

Daleside Brewery - Old Leg Over - abv 4.1%
A well balanced, mid brown ale, nutty in the mouth with a lingering hop and bitter aftertaste

Ossett Brewery - Excelsior - abv 5.2%
A fresh hoppy aroma with citrus and floral characteristics. A mellow yet full flavour that develops into a fruity dryness on the palate

Ossett Brewery - Treacle Stout - abv 5.0%
A rich and robust stout

York Brewery - Minster Ale - abv 4.2%
Light amber colour, an aroma of flowery hop with a very nice fruit and hop flavour

York Brewery - Yorkshire Terrier - abv 4.2%
A golden coloured premium bitter with a rich, creamy malt and full hop palate finish

Want to win this great case of real ale?
Simply select the best British beer you have tasted this year to help us find Britain's Best Beer 2010.
There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer.
We know there are some great beers out there, which is why you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories. Every vote will count equally and by the end of November we hope to have found a winner.
Vote here before the end of August for your chance to win this great case of British Beer

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents OVER the age of 18.

Britain's Best Beer 2010 - The August Prize Draw

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:46:00 +0000

An aletalk 'supermarket selection' for the prize this month.

12 bottles from the shelves of Sainsburys and Asda for you to try

The Beers are:

Black Sheep - Riggwelter - abv 5.7%
A strong deep chestnut brown beer with hints of coffee, bananas and liquorice

Caledonian - Deuchars IPA - abv 4.4%
Distinctive & long on refreshment

Fuller's - Discovery Blonde - abv 4.5%
A delicious malty taste with rich, biscuity flavours

Hall & Woodhouse - Badger Dandelion Organic Ale - abv 4.5%
Has a hint of sweetness which balances the natural bitterness of the hops

Joseph Holt - Humdinger - abv 4.1%
Provides a rounded, tongue-tingling taste with an exciting aroma

Jennings - Snecklifter - abv 5.1%
A dark beer with a reddish tinge, perfectly balanced with specially formulated brewing sugars and English aromatic hops

Robinsons - Old Tom - abv 8.5%
Superior dark, rich and warming strong ale with a cherry brandy like colour and character

St Austell - Tribute - abv 4.2%
An English pale ale, an aroma of orange zest & tropical fruit with a taste of juicy malt & tangy fruit

St Peter's - Organic Ale - abv 4.5%
A golden auburn ale, an aroma of citrus fruits & malt with a bitter, fruity taste and a dry finish

Hambleton - Nightmare - abv 5%
An extra stout porter but it is not harsh or overly bitter

Thwaites - Wainwright - abv 4.1%
A refreshing straw-coloured beer with soft fruit flavours and a hint of sweetness from the fine malt

Wells & Young's - Waggle Dance - abv 5%
A delicious golden beer with a superb honey aroma

Want to win this great case of real ale?
Simply select the best British beer you have tasted this year to help us find Britain's Best Beer 2010.
There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer.
We know there are some great beers out there, which is why you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories. Every vote will count equally and by the end of November we hope to have found a winner.
Vote here before the end of August for your chance to win this great case of British Beer

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents OVER the age of 18.

Britain's Best Beer 2010 - The July Draw Prize

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:16:00 +0000

This month we've put together a great mix of British Beer for our draw prize. Twelve bottles of beer ranging from 3.5% to 7% abv. From pale Summer ales to IPA & Imperial Stout - hopefully something for every taste. You can enter our competition to find Britain's Best Beer 2010 Here

The Beers are:

Ilkey Brewery - Mary Jane - abv 3.5%
Crisp and pale with a refreshing citrus aroma.
Great Newsome Brewery - Sleck Dust - abv 3.8%
Golden straw coloured with a citrus apricot, grapefruit aroma and a sharp zesty taste
Wensleydale Brewery - Semer Water - abv 4.1%
Clean, crisp and hoppy, this is a light, golden ale and a very moreish best bitter
Hawkshead Brewery - Lakeland Gold - abv 4.4%
Golden ale with complex fruit flavours
Isle of Skye - Black Cuillin - abv 4.5%
A dark Scottish ale brewed with oats & heather honey
Brew Dog - 77 Lager - abv 4.9%
Made with 100% malt and whole leaf hops. No preservatives or additives
Williams Brothers - Froach Heather Ale - abv 5%
A light amber ale with floral peaty aroma and a spicy herbal flavour
Thornbridge Brewery - Kipling - abv 5.2%
Golden blonde beer with a fruity aroma. A lasting grapefruit-like bitter finish
Marble Brewery - Tawny No3 - abv 5.7%
Rich tawny brown, with an earthy hop aroma. Big but balanced
Meantime Brewery - Raspberry Grand Cru - abv 6.5%
A full raspberry fruit nose, sweet and sour fruit on the palate and a wildly refreshing zesty finish
Crown Brewery - Unpronounceable IPA - abv 7%
A traditional golden IPA, full flavoured & packed with bitterness
Samuel Smith's - Imperial Stout - abv 7%
Rich, flavorful, deep chocolate color, scented and roasted barley nose

Want to win this great case of real ale?
Simply select the best British beer you have drunk this year to help us find Britain's Best Beer 2010.
There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer.
We know there are some great beers out there, which is why you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories. Every vote will count equally and by the end of November we hope to have found a winner.
Vote here before the end of July for your chance to win

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents OVER the age of 18.

Cheese, Chocolate & Cuckoo Clocks

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:48:00 +0000

So, I draw Switzerland in the World Cup Beer Sweep, organised by fellow Tweeters BeerReviewsAndy and markdredge. That'll be easy thinks I, Switzerland, it can't be that difficult to get hold of some Swiss beer in the UK....

First port of call - the internet. Ah-ha, BeerHERE do a World Cup mixed case and there's a Swiss beer included. But hold on a minute... Do I really want to buy a case of 20 beers, when I rarely drink at home?, and anyway, isn't Hurlimann brewed in the UK by Shepherd Neame? A quick visit to Beer Genie would seem to confirm this.

Does it matter? Some would say no. I expect these are the people who would tell me that Fosters was Australian, or that I could play football for Wales because my grandmother's second cousin once spent a fortnight on holiday in Aberystwyth.

Trying a different approach, I trawl through every brewery I can find in Switzerland & email them, informing them of my task, asking if they can help.... Only four reply - and that's just to say they don't export beer to the UK.

Right, we're struggling now - but a couple of updates on Twitter later I have a bite: MelissaCole has a bottle of Swiss beer & do I want to swap something for it? Unfortunately she turns down my offer of a 4-pack of Carlsberg that has been sat in my garage for a couple of years. Women eh!, doesn't she know it's always good to keep something handy to clear the drains?

That, dear reader is why I find myself at Luton Airport early one Wednesday morning waiting for a flight to Geneva. Well I could say I had to visit my bank but that would be stretching it a bit.... Really though?, ludicrously cheap easyJet flight, there and back in a day, plus the thought that I just might bump into Alexandra Bastedo sashying around the lake (ok I may be 40 years too late for that one).

A few photo opportunities later....

and it's time to find that beer. Now, when abroad I normally avoid bars with English names like the plague.... But, walking through Place du Molard, I see 'The Lord Nelson Pub' & as I'm passing by the doorway there's a sign that reads:
'Nos bieres artisanales sont fabriquees pur malt et houblon. Fermentees et gardees dans l'establishment.'
Even with my scant knowledge of French I can transalte that as something along the lines of:
'Our craft beers are manufactured from malt and hops. Fermented and kept in the establishment.'

Now that has GOT to be worth a second look.

....and what a great place it is. If I was to own a pub, this is what I'd want. Clean, comfortable, great beer, good food, friendly staff & best of all its own brewery behind the bar. What a treat to sit eating lunch, drinking beer, watching the brewer at work.

So to the beer. With three house beers to choose from, I plumped for La Blonde (pictured). Very refreshing with more than a passing resemblence to Blue Moon - but without the poncy piece of orange floating in it!
In the interests of research I also tried L'ambree (darker, richer) and La Blanche (lighter with a slice of lemon).
Apologies about the lack of tasting notes but I like to leave that sort of thing to those that know more than me. Maybe I need an All Beer Experience so I don't leave you feeling shortchanged.

So that's my World Cup Beer Sweep story, Switzerland won't win the World Cup but I've had a day out in a great city and found a great pub.

There's more information and pictures of The Lord Nelson Pub here

Britain's Best Beer 2010 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:05:00 +0000

Our search for Britain's Best Beer has now been running for four months. More people than we thought have taken part so far but, of course, we'd like even more to involved in helping us choose Britain's Best Beer 2010. The more people that take part, the more we can say that our winning beer will truly be Britain's Best Beer 2010.

The only criteria for a beer to be considered is that it must have been brewed in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and tasted by the person voting for it in 2010. No entry fees for breweries, no cost to anyone voting, no small tasting panel, just the chance for us to find out what everyone in the country thinks is Britain's Best Beer 2010.
That must be the biggest tasting panel there's ever been!!

Every month we're giving away a prize, which we hope will encourage people to vote. In any given month, one person who enters (or updates) their choice(s) for Britain's Best Beer 2010 will be selected at random to receive the prize. Past prizes include a 52 Week Beer Club case of beer kindly donated by myBrewerytap and May's prize, shown here, which was won by The Ormskirk Baron, who describes it here.

So, I'm sure you're thinking which beer is leading the race at the moment? It's a question we're constantly being asked and one that gets the same response - we're not going to tell you until the voting is finished!!

We feel this is the fairest way - we don't want to influence the voting - suffice it to say though that Thornbridge & Marble beers are well thought of, with a good selection of breweries from all over the UK represented.

If you want to help find Britain's Best Beer 2010, you can find all the details here.

New Map Search for UK Breweries

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:37:00 +0000

We've just updated the search on our site so that every UK Brewery is listed on a map.
Simply zoom in and select a brewery, then you can 'click through' and get details of that brewery, including all the beers that they brew !!

See the New Search Here

Hat-trick for Saltaire Brewery at SIBA awards

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:56:00 +0000

West Yorkshire brewery Saltaire scooped three awards at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Beer Competition 2010.

Saltaire took the top title of Supreme Champion Beer 2010 for its Triple Chocoholic, a 4.8% abv chocolate stout.

The same beer won the Gold Award in the Champion Speciality Beer category, while the brewery’s Cascade Pale Ale scooped the Champion Premium Bitters prize.

Full list of winners:

• Supreme Champion Beer 2010 Triple Chocoholic: Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire

• Champion Milds (up to 4% abv): Dark Mild Bank Top Brewery, Bolton

• Champion Bitters & Pale Ales (up to 4% abv): Lord Marples, Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire

• Champion Best Bitters (4.1 – 4.5% abv): Darwins Origin, Salopian Brewing, Shrewsbury

• Champion Premium Bitters (4.6 – 4.9% abv): Cascade Pale Ale Supreme Speciality Beer, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire

• Champion Strong Bitters (5.1 – 5.5% abv): Big Chief Bitter, Greenmill Brewery, Rochdale

• Champion Strong Ales (over 5.6% abv): Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale, Wye Valley Brewery

• Champion Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts: Guerilla, Blue Monkey Brewery, Derbyshire

• Champion Speciality Beers: Triple Chocoholic, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire

• Champion Bottled Beers: Proper Job, St Austell Brewery

National Cask Ale Week 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:13:00 +0000

In its second year, National Cask Ale week is back to celebrate Britain’s national drink from 29th March – 5th April.

Following last year’s success, hundreds of events will once again take place during Easter week across the UK to mark National Cask Ale Week organised by cask ale quality accreditors Cask Marque, CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) and many of the country’s brewers and pub owners and operators.

2009 saw the major brewers, Cask Marque, 6,000 pubs and countless ale lovers pulling together to celebrate all that is good about beer.
And it is with this support that the Great British pint has enjoyed a storming year with more drinkers than ever sampling beer and the number of breweries growing by 12 per cent.

This year National Cask Ale Week is asking ale lovers and ale virgins alike to pull together and continue to support and celebrate this British icon and where possible, introduce a friend to this unique drink.

Widely pitched today as the savior of the Great British pub, cask beer is a natural, fresh product that is sipped and savoured by drinkers. There are flavours to suit every pallet from light, fruity ales to dark bitters, with many pubs serving locally brewed ales, which taps into consumers’ growing interest in local provenance.

To find out more about National Cask Ale Week and what’s happening in pubs and breweries in your region visit the National Cask Ale Week Website

More real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

Tetley's cask ale to be brewed outside Yorkshire

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:26:00 +0000

Tetley's cask ale will be brewed outside of Yorkshire for the first time in nearly two hundred years.

Tetley's has been made in the city for almost two centuries dating back to 1822.

Its cask ale will be brewed by Marston's, one of the biggest brewers of cask ale in the UK, which has its head office in Wolverhampton.

Read the full article from the Yorkshire Evening Post

View more real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

Win a year of holidays in the Lake District

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:59:00 +0000

Buy a bottle or pint of Jennings Cumberland Ale and a stunning year long package of Summer and Winter Holidays and Short Breaks at the Langdale Hotel and Spa could ALL be yours

This superb prize consists of two weeks (one summer, one winter) in 5 star self catering accommodation and two short breaks to be taken throughout the year.

Full Details

More real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

Kelham Island Tavern: Britain's Best Again

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:50:00 +0000

Sheffield’s Kelham Island Tavern, forced to close after floods hit in 2007, has won CAMRA’s top gong for a second consecutive year.

It’s the first pub to win the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Pub award twice on the trot.

The Kelham Island Tavern, which was described by 2009 judges as a "small gem", was praised for its quality of beer and attention to detail.

Licensee Trevor Wraith said the accolade was a "great achievement".

Camra pubs director Julian Hough said: "The pub's success is thoroughly deserved due to its high attention to detail, service to the surrounding community and quality in all areas, not least in the beer."

Government appoints minister for pubs

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:42:00 +0000

Wentworth MP John Healey has been given the task of heading up a strategy to help save Britain's pubs.
Last week, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the rate of pub closures had slowed from 52 a week in the first half of 2009 to 39 a week.
Healey, also housing and planning minister, is to head a task force of five ministers who will draw up a plan to help pubs.
The BBPA hailed the decision as "great news" and a "clear sign" that its campaigns, Axe the Tax and I'm Backing the Pub, had had an impact.

Good idea? Have your say HERE

More real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

Britain's Best Beer 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:18:00 +0000

Today (1st Feb 2010) sees the launch of our competition to find Britain's Best Beer 2010.

The competition runs from the beginning of February until the end of November, with the winners being announced in early December. Anyone in the UK over the age of 18 can vote for their favourite beer(s) of the year. There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer and you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories.

Each month, everyone who enters or updates their choice(s) for Britain's Best Beer in that month will be entered into a monthly free prize draw.

Full details and rules of the competition can be found HERE

You can follow the progress of the competition on Twitter

CAMRA names Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:15:00 +0000

1872 Porter from the Elland Brewery, West Yorkshire, has today been crowned the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2010 by a panel of judges at the National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.

The 6.5% abv porter is described in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide as a 'creamy, full-flavoured porter, with rich liquorice flavours with a hint of chocolate from roast malt, and a soft but satisfying aftertaste of bittersweet roast and malt.'

Winning today is especially sweet for the brewer after finishing in Silver place overall in the 2009 competition.

Dave Sanders, Head Brewer at Elland, was elated to hear of the brewery's success. He said:

'It absolutely brilliant; we came second last year and I am thrilled to finish on top in 2010. We originally started brewing this beer at the West Yorkshire brewery, so there's quite a history behind this Victorian recipe.'

Silver went to Breconshire's Ramblers Ruin, whilst the Bronze medal went to Acorn's Gorlovka Imperial Stout.

see all Elland Breweries beers HERE

Tough new drinks code to take effect on April 6

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:19:00 +0000

Pubs and club owners who breach the code could face extra conditions, losing their licences, fines of up to £20,000 and even six months in prison.

The new mandatory conditions, to be published today, include:

• A ban on "irresponsible" promotions such as "all you can drink for £10", women- drink-free deals, speed drinking competitions and "dentist's chairs".

• Ensuring free tap water is available.

• Ensuring all those who sell alcohol check the ID of anyone who looks under 18.

• Ensuring establishments make available a choice between a single and double measure of spirits and a small and large glass of wine.

However the plans for the code still have to be approved by Parliament before they become law.

The code is expected to come into force in two stages this year. The first will take effect on April 6 and cover promotions and the free tap water offer. And the second will come in on October 1, covering the smaller wine and spirit measures and age checks.

More real ale news and views at aletalk.co.uk

Beer: The latest hope in fight against cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:16:00 +0000

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg have discovered that beer contains a powerful molecule that helps protect against breast and prostate cancers.
Found in hops, the substance called xanthohumol blocks the excessive action of testosterone and oestrogen. It also helps to prevent the release of a protein called PSA which encourages the spread of prostate cancer.

Read the full article in the Daily Mail

More real ale new & views at aletalk.co.uk

Titanic Brewery - The best in the West Midlands

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:15:00 +0000

Burslem Based Titanic Brewery was awarded two gold’s and a silver at the CAMRA West Midlands end of year awards.

The two Gold's were for Titanic's 'Iceberg'in the specialist category and the 'Titanic Stout' in the stout category. The Silver was awarded to the Titanic 'Wreckage' in the Strong Old Ale section.

Titanic also own/manage The Bulls Head in Burslem, The Greyhound in Newcastle and The Royal Exchange in Stone.

The three beers will now compete at the CAMRA 2010 Great British Beer Festival.

More Information about Titanic Brewery and their beers

Read the Full Article

Titanic Brewery Website

More real Ale News & Views

BrewDog plans to open chain of pubs

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:09:00 +0000

THE brewery behind the world's strongest beer aim to open a chain of pubs by the end of next year.

Brew Dog's James Watt and Martin Dickie, both 27, said they wanted to build on the "rapid growth" at their Aberdeenshire business and continue to 'tackle' a culture of mass-produced cheap drinks.

The pair recently launched their 32 per cent Tactical Nuclear Penguin beer, which upset drinks industry body the Portman Group.

And the watchdog have already banned the brewery's Tokyo beer over the label which says: "You must, from time to time, have excess."

Brew Dog bought the vacant Marischal Bar in Aberdeen this month and are hoping to have bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh by the end of 2010.

See more real ale news & views at aletalk.co.uk

CAMRA launches legal challenge to OFT

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:20:00 +0000

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today announced it will issue a legal challenge to the Office of Fair Trading's decision to reject its super-complaint on anti-competitive practices in the UK pub market. CAMRA is pledging funds to the appeal, but is depending on consumers helping to raise further funds to ensure this vital legal challenge can stand the best chance of success.

In October the consumer group criticised the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for failing to protect consumers by taking no further action to address consumer detriment in the pub market following CAMRA's super-complaint submitted in July.

Under the Enterprise Act 2002, CAMRA is entitled to appeal the OFT's decision to the Competition Appeals Tribunal, and has decided upon this course of action to continue fighting anti-competitive practices in the UK pub market.

From Tuesday January 5th 2010, CAMRA is calling upon consumers to visit the CAMRA website and contribute to the 'Consumers v. OFT Pub Market Ruling' Campaign Fund.

Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:

'CAMRA has taken the decision to appeal due to the inability of the OFT to deal with the problems affecting the UK pub sector.

'CAMRA's super-complaint to the OFT was based on securing a fair deal for the pub-goer, and building a sustainable future for Britain's pubs. However, we believe the OFT did not take reasonable steps to understand the pub sector, and more generally why over 50 pubs are closing per week across the UK.

'We've seen the consumer watchdog scrutinised in previous years with the success of the Association of Convenience Stores' appeal in 2005 in overturning the OFT's decision at Tribunal. Pending the success of our appeal, CAMRA remains optimistic of Government intervention or a referral to the Competition Commission for a full investigation into the UK pub market.'

Bob Young, a former member of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and respected Principal of Europe Economics, has said the OFT's response was "as inadequate as CAMRA's super-complaint was compelling. The OFT has not seriously considered whether there is fair competition at a local level which ensures that consumers, or pub landlords for that matter, get the best deal. This is a critical shortcoming in the OFT's response to CAMRA."

Mike Benner concluded:

'We now urge consumers and associated trade bodies to get behind our 'Consumers v. OFT Pub Market Ruling' Campaign Fund in the New Year and support our appeal.'

CAMRA's super-complaint, 'A Fair Share for the Consumer', was published in July and can be viewed
HERE

More real ale news & views at aletalk.co.uk

Friends set up first brewery in Angus since 1957

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:17:00 +0000

Two friends have set up what is believed to be the first brewery in Angus in more than half a century.

The Angus Ales microbrewery produces two types of beer named to reflect the town’s deep historical ties with golf.

Mashie Niblick, a full-flavoured malty ale, which contains 4.2% alcohol by volume, and Gowfers’ Gold – a pale, golden ale, at 3.8% abv – are being brewed at a small base in Panmure Industrial Estate.

Read the full article

Beer Writer of the Year 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:48:00 +0000

Pete Brown has been crowned Beer Writer of the Year at the prestigious British Guild of Beer Writers Annual Awards Dinner 2009 (3 December 2009).
The Beer Writer of the Year is chosen from one of six category winners which seek to find the very best of beer writing and journalism in the UK. As well as picking up the overall title - which has this year been named after late beer writer Michael Jackson for the first time – Brown also won the Budweiser Budvar John White Travel Bursary for his book Hops and Glory – the story of one man’s search for the beer that built the British Empire.
Last year’s winner and chairman of the judges Zak Avery said: “Pete is an exceptional talent writer and his depth of knowledge and passion for beer really comes across in his writing.

Results in full
Brewer of the Year 2009 -Miles Jenner, of Harveys Brewery in Lewes, Sussex.

Budweiser Budvar John White Travel Bursary 2009 winner - Pete Brown.

Shepherd Neame Bishop's Finger Award for Beer and Food Writing 2009 winner - Ben Mcfarland.

Brains SA Gold New Media Award 2009 winner - Mark Dredge; runner-up 2009 - Dave Bailey - www.woolpack.co.uk
Owner of the Woolpack Inn and Hardknott Brewery,

Deuchars IPA Regional Journalism Award 2009 - winner - Alastair Gilmour; runner-up - Simon Jenkins.

Wells & Young's Business to Business Journalism Award 2009 winner - Jeff Evans; runner-up 2009 Rob Brown, Brewers Guardian.
Coors Brewers National Journalism Award 2009 winner - Arthur Taylor; runner-up Alex Barlow.

The Michael Jackson Gold Tankard award - Writer of the Y ear 2009 - Pete Brown.

The British Guild of Beer Writers was established in 1988 to help spread the word about beer and brewing and improve standards of beer writing in general. Today the Guild has moree than 150 members – to find out more go to The British Guild of Beer Writers Website

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British Beer and Pub Association launches manifesto

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:19:00 +0000

The six 'core principles' of the manifesto are:

1. Put pubs at the heart of a campaign to strengthen community life.

2. Lower the tax and regulatory burden on pubs and beer.

3. Limit the proliferation of new codes and restrictions – enforce existing laws properly instead.

4. Promote a policy environment that encourages consumers to choose low alcohol drinks such as beer.

5. Recognise the traditional role of pubs as the place for responsible, social drinking, in a more balanced strategy for tackling abuse.

6. Work in partnership with the brewing and pub sector to promote social responsibility through through support for initiatives like Pubwatch, Crime and Disorder Partnerships, Best Bar None, Purple Flag, the Campaign for Smarter Drinking and Drinkaware.

read the whole mainfesto

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CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2009 Finalists

noreply@blogger.com (Ale Talk) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:31:00 +0000

CAMRA's National Pub of the Year competition has been running throughout 2009. CAMRA members assess thousands of pubs across the UK, scoring on various aspects which make a great pub, including the welcome, service, atmosphere, customer mix (i.e. 18-80 year olds), décor and, of course, the quality of the real ale.

The four CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2009 finalists are:

Royal Oak Inn, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 8DF
Photographs of ships bearing the pub's name adorn the walls in this street-corner pub. The lounge bar features a wrought-iron trelliswork, larglely hidden by over 300 pump clips. The smaller public bar attracts a younger crowd. A mecca for the discerning drinker, the pub is a primary outlet for Pitstop and West Berks ales in the area- two beers carry the landlord's name.

Crown Hotel, Worthington, Gtr Manchester, WN1 2XF
Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006 and 2008, this country inn offers eight cask beers and two scrumpy ciders, and acts as the brewery tap for Prospect beers. High quality home-cooked food is served in the bar and conservatory restaurant, while a large decked sun terrace at the rear has patio heaters for cooler evenings. Mini beer festivals are held about four times a year.

Royal Oak, Friday Street, West Sussex, RH12 4QA
A lovely, isolated, low-beamed, narrow free house that is well worth finding, with seven handpumps for real ale, three for cider and two for perry. Ales are usually from local micro-breweries and are constantly changing. CAMRA National Pub of the Year Runner-Up in 2009. This is a real gem.

Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8RW
Selected as CAMRA's National Pub of the Year in 2008 after previously picking up many local and regional awards, this small gem was rescued from dereliction as recently as 2002. An impressive 10 permanent handpumps include two that always dispense a mild and a stout/porter, so you are sure to find something to suit your mood. In the warmer months you can relax in the pub's multi-award winning beer garden.

The winner of the CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2009 is to be announced in mid-February 2010.

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